Electric furnace.



E. F. PRICE.

ELECTRIC FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED FEH.1,1917.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

fyi-@Q 5 551,3 s @mman/51mm.,

UNITED SQATFS PATENT UFFCE.

:EDGAR F. PREGR, 0F PGRT CHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRO METALLURGI- CAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N.

Y., A CORORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

ELEGTRC FURNACE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

To all whom may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDGAR F. Pinon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port Chester, in the county of lvestchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Furnaces, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to electric furnaces, a primary object of the invention being the provision of a novel and durable forni of electrical connection for a movable electrode of such furnaces.

In electric furnaces of the type having one or more movable electrodes, it is customary to make the electrical contact with such electrodes through a lflexible cable or connector, usually of copper' or aluminum. It has been found however that sucl:` flexible connection, which is necessarily in close proximity to the furnace, is liable to quick deterioration or even destruction under the action of the high temperature acting in conjunction with the furnace gases. I have found that this may be in a. large measure prevented by providing a suitably placed shield, which preferably should also be fiexible in order that its yposition with respect to the flexible portion of the conductor may be approximately maintained.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side view partly in section showing my invention in its application to an electric furnace; and

Figs. 2, 3, 4 are fragmentary views illustrating various constructions of the flexible shield.

In the drawings, l represents the furnace chamber, and 2 a vertically movable electrode depending therein. This electrodeis provided with a cap 'or terminal 3 which is connected to the fixed bus-bars 4 by means of a flexible cable section or sections 6, 6 represent blocks or equivalent means for raising and lowering the electrode, carried byany suitable framework 7 8 represents the flexible shield whiclrin the present embodiment of the invention assumes the form of a loop following approximately the loop of the cables 5, and lying between these cables and the furnace. This shield .is .shcwii as supported at one end bv the bus-bar l, suitable insulators 9, 9 being interposed; and at the other end by a transverse bar 10, this bar being disposed above and preferably insulated from the electrode but movable therewith. The lie-xible shield is preferably insulated from this bar, as by an insulating hanger 11.

t will be observed that the arrangement of parts is such that as the electrode is raised or lowered within. the limits permitted, and as required the normal operation of the furnace, the flexible shield follows the loop of the cable fn its changing positions, being always in close proximity to the loop and in position to protect it from the direct heat of the furnace. As stated above this has in practice been'found greatly to prolong the effective life of the cable.

The flexible shield may be constructed in any desired manner. For example I have shown in Fig. 2 a construction comprising light metal sections 12 which may be of brass or aluminum, these sections extending across and somewhat beyond the cables 5, and being corrugated as indicated at 13 in order to impart the necessary stiffness. The several sections are joined by hinge plates 14. The construction of Fig. 3 comprises simply a band 1S of thin flexible sheet metal of sufficient width to protect the cables from the direct heat of the furnace. Fig. it illustrates a construction comprising pivotally joined side links or chains 15. connected by light metal sections 16. In all cases the light sheet metal may be faced on either side by asbestos board or the like, as indicated byI way of example at 17 in Fig. et.

In case the arrangement of parts is such that the shield in any position is liable so closely to approach the cables as to make actual contact possible, it is desirable to provide either the cables or the shield, or both of these elements, with suitable insulating strips or projections serving as guards. Such projecting strips are illustrated by way of example at 19 in Fig. 3, it being understood that these guards may be applied to the other shield constructions or to the cables themselves as may be deemed necessary or desirable.

I claim 1. In combination with an electric furnace having a movable electrode, a flexible con,

ductorin the circuit leadin to said electrode, and a shield dispose between said fiexib'le conductor and the furnace and movable with said conductor.

2. In combination with an electric furnace having a movable electrode7 a flexible con ductor in the circuit leading to said electrode, and a flexible shield disposed between said flexible conductor and the furnace and movable with said conductor.

3. In combination with an electric furnace having a movable electrode, a flexible conductor in the circuit leading to said electrode, and a shield disposed between said flexible conductor and the furnace, said ductor in the circuit leading to said elec.

trode, and a flexible shield disposed between said flexible conductor and the furnace, said shield movable with said conductor but insulated therefrom.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 25 in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR F. PRICE. Witnesses L. A. HANLON J. S. ADAMS. 

